and eventually, thoughts of him slipped away from her but still a compulsion for her. Always

ley. She just stared, her eyes drawn blank at the notebook just

e wall. Ava flinched with the sound. Mark entered and was a

o me!" he bellowed. His vo

e pumped through her body, sending her stomach into knots. At that moment, he wa

got up. She merely stepped another half toward Riley like someh

inger onto her. "You have to take me back, Ava! I am begging you! And you owe

t. She readied her mouth to sa

k off, Mark!" she growled. "Ava doesn't owe you or Bella an

"You're meddling in matters that are none of

ered, "I'm allowed to protect my fri

between. She never thought she would see Mark so rowdy or so loud or so relentless. With Riley standing her groun

nd lost itself in a high-pitched ringing. Her knees betrayed her, and she felt herself falling ov

sroom. Whispers filled the halls behind them, but Ava was hardly aware of just how much was happening around her. All she felt was

he school nurse's office. "Slow down," said the nurse while helping Ava sit

mured Ava in a tiny voice. "I

g her hand. "It's okay, Ava. We'll

e you a referral to the nearest clinic to run some tests so we know wha

s a good idea.

as I prepare the referral form for y

back with the

he school clinic as they

to think of something else. Every thought, however, so often turned back to the events of the night with Marcus weeks back. New thoughts, however, joined the pr

als and glided out of the room with a promise to be back soon with the results. Then she held her breath and forced herself int

n hand. His face turned serious, and without d

or inquired while lookin

d to push out wit

r; "The results are i

tion. Beside her, Riley gasped, squeezing her hand till she thought it would br

egnant?" she in

appointments, and then we can meet and discuss with you and your

. A dozen wild thoughts loomed large in her mind-all concerning Marcus-rushing to last night, the ordeal she wanted to keep under

t hand, Riley was indeed in

some privacy. Buried under her hands, Ava ma

nant with Ma